Apollo Kids is Ghostface Killah’s ninth solo LP, and that does not include the several albums he’s collaborated on, such as a handful of Wu-Tang LP’s or anything with his numerous affiliates. After Ghostdini: The Wizard Of Poetry In Emerald City, longtime fans were a little disappointed at the album’s R&B focus, especially dropping right after Raekwon’s Only Built For Cuban Links 2. No matter, the excellent Wu-Massacre LP followed, and Ghost turned out a new back-to-basics LP with Apollo Kids.

While Apollo Kidz lacks the fused together kung-fu flick samples of the classic Wu releases, there’s nevertheless Ghost’s usual brand of consistency in this collection of tracks from various producers. While RZA may be completely absent (along with any of the usual Wu-Tang boardsmen), Ghost still manages to capture that raw, unadulterated sound thanks to a team of lesser known producers.

Producer Frank Dukes, who heads might remember from Red Bull’s producer contest, shows up here with his previously released “Purified Thoughts” track, now featuring verses from GZA and Killah Priest – both whom sound classic as the day Liquid Swords was released. Dukes also contributes the hilarious spaghetti-western tinged “Black Tequila”, as Ghost, Trife, and Cappadonna play desperadoes, as well as the phenominal “In Tha Park” (feat. Black Thought), a ridiculously raw throwback to the early days of hip-hop.

Much of the entire LP maintains this raw aesthetic, with Ghost inviting his favorite emcees to spit on his brand of dirty beats. The excellent “Ghetto” (feat. Raekwon, Cappadonna, and U-God) is classic Wu-Tang, as the quartet joins producer Ant Acid (who killed that “Our Dreams” remix earlier this year), each rhyming over Marlena Shaw’s “Woman Of The Ghetto” groove. “Drama” also knocks, a murky collabo with Joell Ortiz and a show-stealing Game, as does the 70′s soul swagger of “Superstar” (feat. Busta Rhymes).

“Handcuffin’ Them Hoes” (feat. Jim Jones) is a bit of a departure from the rest of the album, with a slightly more polished sound in production, and “Street Bullies” drags on a bit, but the complaints are few and far in between. While Ghost’s team of producers lends the Apollo Kids album to having a bit of a “compilation” type sound, Ghost doesn’t disappoint with yet another solid LP, easily making him the Clan’s most consistent member. Not only that, rumor has it that Supreme Clientele 2 is in the works….